A Promise - a GIFT from God (Part 4)

“Will you be the rock that redirects the river?”

- Claire Nuer

There is a Chinese proverb that says, “The journey of one thousand miles must begin with a single step.”   Our spiritual journey, our journey for peace, also begins with a single step.

Over the last two weeks I have been writing about taking children along on our spiritual journey.  We have talked about praying for all of the children that God has put into our lives.  We have discussed teaching them scripture and Bible stories.  We have also realized the lessons that children can teach us along our journey together.  Years ago I lived in the same town as my grandchildren.  Every other Sunday my granddaughter and I had a routine... we would drive through Taco Bell, and take our food down to the riverfront.  We would sit amidst nature and talk about anything... everyday things, our hopes, our dreams, our future... it was a very special time of sharing... it was “peace by the river.”

There is an old hymn called, “It is Well with My Soul.”  One of the verses goes like this:

No I am not one who can move high mountains, or cross the big red sea. Nor can I walk on the water like Peter or Jesus, or set the lame man free. It's all I can do some days to get through, the valleys here below.

Chorus: I got peace, like a river, flowing deep, in my life. I got peace, like a river, and you know, it feels so right.

Like the lyrics express, we may not be able to accomplish “mighty” works or miracles, but when we are living a life that is right with God and using our gifts to glorify Him, we can experience God’s peace and it feels so right!

Those times my granddaughter and I spent by the river have become cherished memories... she is now almost 20 years old and we live quite a distance from each other.  Kylee has persevered through some difficult times in her life, but her determination, hopes, and dreams for the future are stronger than ever.  She is now a college student – struggling for her independence, trying to discover her passion... attempting to find her own “peace.”

As I conclude this series of blog posts (- a GIFT from God), I am reminded that scripture is not only filled with the tools for living out a Christian life, but God’s Word also contains His promises.  We need to share those promises with our children, their children, and the generations to come (Joel 1:3).

God has given us many promises of PEACE.  The words of Psalm 29:11 tell us, “The Lord will give strength to His people, The Lord will bless His people with peace” and John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I will give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Jesus said, “My peace I will give to you.”  What an awesome promise!

The peace that Jesus is talking about is not something we can earn or buy, it is a GIFT.  Human peace is based on circumstances... if everything is running smoothly and stress-free in our lives, we think we have achieved peace.  But, when busyness creates the chaos we have talked so much about, then peace quickly disappears.  On the other hand, we know that God’s peace is unique because it is eternal (internal) peace which cannot be affected by external circumstances.

PEACE is our birthright as a child of God, and to make it ours, all we have to do is claim it!  The way we go about “claiming” God’s peace is by making an individual commitment.  The last 3 blog posts have taken us through the steps we need to take to make this commitment.  Today’s post is the final step.

Part 1 was our responsibility to pray for our children, grandchildren and our own relationships with God.  We need to accept ourselves as God accepts us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  By seeing ourselves the way God sees us, we can love and accept ourselves, and love and accept others... we can be at peace.

Part 2 and 3 reminded us of the need to search scripture committing it to memory, and hiding God’s Word in our heart.  Psalm 119:165 tells us, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble."

And the final step, Part 4.  We need to put in to action what we have learned in the Bible – living a life in Christ – only then will we have a life filled with God’s Peace.  Isaiah 32:17 tells us, "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever."

It's Friday, Let's Sparkle... action required....  Thank you for allowing me to share the personalities and adventures of my grandchildren with you.  No matter whether you have teenagers in your life, like Brooke, young children like Kaleb and Aydin, 20 somethings like Kylee, or any age in between – God desires a relationship with each one of us and wants us to experience a life filled with PEACE.  Take time this weekend to not only nuture the relationship you have with the children in  your lives, but help them start their own journey to seek more peace. 

Remind them: NO GOD, NO PEACE... KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE.   It’s a choice!  Watch for the new addition to my Friday post... KIDZPEACE helpful tips, scripture, and activities for kids who are on their own "peace journey."

Grace, Peace and Love, Donna Weaver

Thank you Lord, for peace-filled moments with my
grandchildren, and for your PROMISES that continue
to be passed on from generation to generation. Amen.

FYI: The Christian group Kutless included a version of It is Well on their CD entitled It is Well: a Worship Album. Click the link below to check out the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntklZwAzEEo&feature=related